Paula Broadwell stepped off the stage at the Aspen Security Forum on July 28, fresh from criticizing the news media for heedless disclosure of secrets. The afternoon program of seminars was packed with admirals, generals and Cabinet chiefs, but Broadwell had pressing business elsewhere. She ducked out of the conference, slipped into running shorts and jogged off in search of a once-in-a-­lifetime birthday present.

Broadwell and CIA Director David Petraeus had fallen into an extramarital affair after years of close contact as biographer and subject. Born two days and 20 years apart, they had big benchmarks approaching—his 60th, her 40th—and Broadwell was looking for a suitably momentous gift. As she had tweeted proudly a few days before, Broadwell had a date for a “1v1 run with Lance Armstrong.” What she did not mention was her plan to recruit Armstrong for a surprise birthday bike ride with the fitness-mad Petraeus. If all went as she planned, the retired four-star general would ride into his seventh decade alongside cycling’s greatest star.

That particular ride was not to be. By then, though they did not know it yet, disgrace was bearing down on all three of them. Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, alarmed by a series of disturbing e-mails from someone self-identifying as “kelley­patrol,” had filed an FBI complaint in May. Electronic metadata pinpointing the times and places and IP addresses associated with Kelley’s hidden correspondent identified Broadwell as the author. Investigators scooped up gigabytes of content from her other accounts—some under Broadwell’s name, others under aliases. As FBI agents sifted through the harassing e-mails, they found discussion of the movements and activities of high-level military officials—and of Petraeus. “So that sparked the interest of the investigative agencies,” says a law-enforcement official. Some of the exchanges were sexually charged. By that point the implications extended far past a domestic dispute into the highest reaches of national security.

Photograph by Marco Grob for TIME

Already the costs have been stunning. Marriages and reputations have been fractured. Multiple careers, including those of the CIA director and a four-star general, have been damaged or destroyed. The decision by FBI Director Robert Mueller and Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. to withhold notice about the case until Election Day has turned congressional attention once again on the inner workings of the Obama Administration. Intelligence Committee members in Congress are furious at having been kept in the dark, and the furor has strained relations between lawmakers and the White House at the very moment voters want to see them sit down together to get something done. The U.S.’s entire security apparatus seems rattled. And every news cycle brings new questions about the judgment, morals, methods and command focus of some of America’s most powerful public servants.

Obama lost his CIA director just as the rest of his national-security team was in motion as well: Hillary Clinton is preparing to leave the State Department, and replacing her is likely to involve further shuffling of key players. And this was not just any CIA director but a man with long experience of command in the Middle East and South Asia, at a moment of intense focus on Libya, Syria and the looming pullout from Afghanistan. Obama was also losing one of the most experienced operators of and thinkers on lethal drones for targeted killing, the President’s chosen tool against al-Qaeda. And all this comes as complex problems in Iran and China await Obama’s attention. A President who had hoped to pivot to a second term of bipartisan purpose found himself dodging questions about how his team had handled the far-reaching implications of a love affair.

“The Party Is Canceled”
For Petraeus, there would be no birthday celebration. On Nov. 7, the day he turned 60, he was preparing for his meeting with Obama the following afternoon, when he would tender his resignation. Two days later, when Broadwell turned 40, Petraeus publicly announced that he was stepping down after “engaging in an extramarital affair.” Broadwell was at a birthday dinner with her husband at the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia on the night news reports identified her as the woman involved. A hasty e-mail that evening from her husband to guests invited for a larger celebration said simply, “The party is canceled on Saturday. Thanks!”

Yet that was just the beginning. Friends and family said Jill Kelley was filled with remorse at her complaint’s unexpected impact on Petraeus, a longtime friend. The same forensic techniques that led to Petraeus’ resignation unearthed what Defense Department officials described as 20,000 to 30,000 pages of messages between Kelley and Marine General John Allen, who was deputy chief of the ­Tampa-based U.S. Central Command and then succeeded Petraeus as commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan. Those astonishing numbers, government experts said, greatly exaggerated the ­frequency of communication because the strict formatting requirements for documentary evidence mandated the inclusion of full headers, signatures and repetitive e-mail chains. Even so, there were at least hundreds of exchanges.

Allen, through associates, denied an affair with Kelley, a married mother of three. Some officials hinted, without specifying how, that the e-mails and other exchanges raise questions of impropriety. The brou­haha was enough to put Allen’s nomination as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander on hold. While Obama issued a statement expressing confidence in Allen, it is no longer certain who will hold the top U.S. military assignment in Europe.

I couldn't care less for the CIA Director's extra-marital affair but for two reasons:

1. Even if he cannot be reached directly for blackmail, the woman he cheated with can certainly be blackmailed and through her, the Director can unwittingly pass secrets to enemies.

2. Given that he decided to have an affair (which by the way is a male characteristic, like it or not), his methods of concealment were too clumsy for a top spy. He violated the most basic rules of a player: do not leave a trail, do not write anything, do not leave messages, do not involve third parties, do not have witnesses.

Beginning with Eve, in all of history women have always been the downfall of great men. This will not be the last. I am Obama fan, but I believe his own sex scandal will one day arrive. It is in the DNA of powerful men. Stay tuned.

sir,who authorized investigation against CIA director? the investigation into threatening e-mails ends with discovery of Broadwell. then who ordered further investigation? second point is when the CIA director has not violated any rule of secrecy or service than why he was forced to resign? the thousands of news stories about them do not enlighten about the preferences of much maligned lovers. the general behaved like Clinton or Kennedy?

It was reported that Ms. Broadwell had classified documents on her computer. That would be a no. no and she should have to suffer the consequences of that! Also as a reserve Officer, she should know that adultery is against the rules of the Military and she should also suffer the consequences of that. We shall see if the rules are for everyone or just for the ones who do not have much pull!!!!!

The problem with David Petraeus was never that he had an affair. Finally, media are coming around to the real issue: his performance as commander of two wars Or is it his non-performance. "A Phony Hero for a Phony War" by Lucian Truscott IV is running in several major newspapers, as well as The Washington Post's take-down of the perks of generals - what these "heroes" cost the taxpayers.

"..Thus far it is undisputed that word of the Petraeus affair first reached the White House on Wednesday, Nov. 7, the day after Obama’s re-election, in a telephone call from Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Jr. to National Security Adviser Tom Donilon..."Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2012/11/15/spyfall/#ixzz2CbyaElv1

He was very good at portraying a general officer: lots of medals, great resume, adroit at getting promotions, knew the right people, the right things to say. But ultimately, this was a facade, and where we needed an actual edifice, we just got an erector set.

I really feel sorry for general Petraeus. He seems to be a man of honour and even though what he did is morally reprehensible his actions mab be the result of natural human behavior.

I would certainly put most of the blame of on that Kelley - lady - and the FBI guy who used the information they had on their hands as warfare against U.S. army generals. They went straight for the kill...

I wonder if there's a law to prevent the use of information as warfare against individuals...

Other than that, excellent article, nice example of good journalistic work...

I have one question -- actually, many -- but one I can't get out of my mind: how does a general, running a theater of operations or whatever they call it, have time to engage in 20-30K pages of email? With anyone? In a lifetime? And this guy Allen is supposed to be good at his job??

I think Obama should just rehire Petraeus. Screw it, he doesn't have to run for re-election so what does it matter what people think?

Why wouldn't Petraeus and Broadwell get divorced first and then carry on with dating?? If there's a lack of integrity in one relationship the same will apply in others. I think the U.S. should definitely worry about security with Petraeus and are lucky to be rid of him. Of course he will be a consultant now to the government and make even more money. Let's see how true the love is between Petraeus and Broadwell and see if they both divorce and marry.

The U.S is spending trillions of dollars waging two wars where the top generals spend their time hiring Broadwells to write books or spending countless hours flirting and writing 1000s of pages to Kelly type socialites. What a waste of tax money.

On the bright side, the Petraeus affair introduced us to vivacious, voluptuous Tampa temptress Jill Kelley, whose astonishing beauty makes it easy to understand why intelligent men at the highest levels of government & society found her enchanting & irresistible.

Nixon succumbed to Watergate, Obama will to Benghazigate --ttps://www.facebook.hcom/photo.php?fbid=374339219308210&set=a.349349441807188.80610.339902456085220&type=1&theater

Obama will be impeached !

(copied )

BRER_OrabbitObama on Impeachment: 'My fellow Amerikans -

I lie for the demise of all those more fortunate; and I lie for the benefit of all those less fortunate. Therefore, I lie more or less, but the more I lie the less I perceive I'm lying.

Thus, I lie for all equally; without regard to whether I know I'm lying, but with the crystal clear knowledge that when my lies change in the future my past lies will not catch up with me because by then my new lies will have belied my old lies and my present lies will engulf my past lies so that I can rightfully say today that I am not a liar because I lie for the respectability of all liars inside and outside the beltway, both foreign and domestic and without consideration of nationality, religion, sexual orientation, race, gender, or the sanctity of life.

But even more importantly, I lie for the benefit of all the children of the world who are unable to lie for themselves

A saying, "Behind Every successful Man is a Woman" is in great SUSPICION ! Half Jokingly jokes apart, Apparently the formidable, affluent people are unhappy in their own ways. And I strongly agree with the statement in the Article "After all, Superman is also a Man!"

The scandal about Petraeus and Obama's little fit about Rice are about the things of fairy tales - the knight, the dragon and the fair maiden. We have never seen Obama defend anyone else with such breathless conviction. One could feel his passion to calm the fluttering heartbeat of his fair maiden, to strike the sword into the dragon which wondered how it was she was so easily led astray. One knew that any moment he would reach out to her and protect her, their lips might accidently touch - cherry? His knees were feeling weak - kryptonite!!! clearly the dragon knew his weakness. What hope was there against such a villainous foe?But then there was Petraeus and in D.C. there are few friends and even fewer secrets. Hadn't he fought dragons? How often had he heard the rhyme - Obama has killed his thousands but Petraeus his tens of thousands. It was, well, biblical in proportion. How could Petraeus be greater than the President? Hadn't Obama killed the mightiest dragon of them all? It was true he had little to do about it except watch courageously in front of the thin-screen LCD monitor. And why did Petraeus go to Benghazi? Didn't he trust what the boys scouts told him?No doubt, it was time to slay dragons and show the American people just how might and strong he could be protecting his fair maiden. Ride on mighty knight... ride on...

As to Mr Petraeus, though the apparent fact that folks can get excited about the sexual or marital activities of other people, and think all that chit matters, makes it matter politically and maybe even in espionage, the fact that all of you except me vote for some one thing gives that fact no where near as much real importance as the fact that I just don't give a damn about your opinions, on anything, nor your actions either. I think that shows you maximum respect: I recognize your right and tendency to do as you please.

Petraeus was doing a good job imho. So he should still have that job. Screw democracy.

@Merlin1935 This little dude did it to himself, woman or not. The Petraeus Tale is one of pure arrogance. Greed, too. He wanted it all. If you blame "the women," you are saying men are too weak to manage or run anything - their own personal lives or, for instance, a country. Wait ... I may agree with you.

@AdamsHospLLC It's not your Hollywood-style Angela-Jennifer-Brad situation. This is real-world serious - the director of the CIA getting caught with his pants down. And worse: not being smart enough to understand email. Petraeus was a senior government official paid by taxpayers for securing our country. His judgment was alarmingly poor. Maybe this will continue to call attention to his real failures: two wars that cost the U.S. in blood and money, not to speak of what it costs the innocent people of the countries he devastated.

@Nothing_To_Say Petraeus was the senior government official, paid by us - taxpayers - to secure our country. The man showed poor judgment and a stunning lack of honor. There's plenty of blame to go around, but all the crap is rightfully running downhill to Mr. Big Man - Petraeus himself. No one deserves it more.

@Nothing_To_Say It is not Kelley's fault. To begin with, Broadwell was harassing her. Broadwell has most of the blame here. She already was having an affair with Petraeus. She crossed the line even further when she started sending harassing emails to Kelley and to Allen. Kelley was afraid -- she had no intention of bringing down a general. She was not even aware it was Broadwell was behind all this. Broadwell is arrogant and selfish and she deserves to be dishonorably discharged from the US Army and stripped permanently of her secret clearance.

@jhoughton1 I've been wondering about that as well. Even if you count my spam, I doubt I've had 20k-30K e-mails from anyone, ever - including regular clients I've had over the past several years and loved family members. My day is spent on the computer, doing research and sending e-mails. I sure as hell haven't sent out that many.

Right. And how else can the President of the Free World humiliate himself? Little Man Petraeus has flawed judgment and character, plus his bloated self-image that took him of the rails. All this began forming when Mrs. Broadwell was a toddler..

@EvaGonzalez Ya know, it was okay to do your "hate" thing on Obama while he was running for office. But now he's our president. How about showing a little respect? We need him to do a good job and he'll do a better job with the American people behind him.

There was not such a thing a harrasement - Kelley told authorities that she didn't feel comfortable with the emails and that she believed it was Broadwell who sent them....funny that she contacted the FBI guy who was sending her shirtless pcitures.....and by the way, I also think it is a extremely extrange coincidence that she is originally from Lebanon....maybe authorities need to keep digging into her life...I'm guessing there is more....

@Rachel421@jhoughton1 In fairness, I believe it says their communication consisted of 20-30K PAGES of emails. Still, that's pretty impressive for a guy who's being ferried around in private jets because he's so WONDERFUL at being a general in charge of an army.

@Mace@JohnWerneken just did. Maybe Big Momma will boot ur dumb ass. btw I agree with your politics, it is you personally that I find useless and offensive. If I were a Nazi, you would be for the ovens.

@jhoughton1 That's what I meant to type. (I'm overly tired and have been working for more 14 hours straight.) Still, I ghostwrite for a living and even then, it's not 20K or more pages even if I'm sending whole chapters or even eBooks to repeat clients. ALL of my spam over the course of a year is about 15K pages and it's certainly not from the same spammer.

How the hell did they have time to do anything else if they're sending so many pages? Is this all they did? I' get exhausted just thinking about it.

@Mace With all due respect, you write about the President with such naked hostility that it is impossible to believe you have any strong connection ,to the pain and challenges, of being part of a minority group with a history of undeserved oppression.

@JohnWerneken Please post again when you have a rational thought. I have seen the death camps, my family did forced labor for the Nazis, etc. You are intentionally disgusting, which still makes you disgusting.

@JohnWerneken It is the reference to Nazis and ovens that is offensive. Anyone, regardless of their politics, who has seen any one of the concentration camps would find your small minded moronic posts offensive.